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I have to work to receive God's love… At least in this season I’ve come to believe that.
The thing is, I know how to share the gospel like the back of my hand. But I’ve come to realize that every time I was preaching God’s grace there was a whisper saying, “Yeah but you’re the exception."
There’s just something about nature, isn’t there? I’m not sure if there is anything I enjoy more than being surrounded by mountains and lakes and rivers and rocks and trees and dirt and moss. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment; vistas and scenic spots are sought and visited by people in all corners of the globe. Just the fact that we have national parks tells us something about how much we value these beautiful places, not only because they’re pretty, but because we want to preserve and enjoy them for generations to come.
WORDS // KATEY LEE
This is one is for the artists.
Have you ever looked at someone else’s art and been so awestruck with inspiration that it kinda almost made you angry? That little voice in the back of your mind that says, “why didn’t I think of that?” or “I could never make something that good.” Well, my fellow artist, I’ve got some news for you. That’s not inspiration. That’s insecurity. It’s jealousy. It might even be bitterness or resentment. There is often a fine line between these, at least for us artists when it comes to our art, and I don’t think it’s something that we talk about very often.
BY JESSICA BILLS
Our LORD created everything in this physical world in six days. Yet the creation story is quantified as seven days. But what did the Creator do on the seventh day if His work was already done?
BY MARISS EANES
I used to be the biggest planner around. I used to enjoy structure and certainty. I used to like knowing specifics of where? What time? How many people will be there?
The worst part is that I would be let down if plans did not play out the way I pictured and I would feel even worse if they fell through.
Here is a dose of encouragement and edification to make your week feel a little bit less weak. There is so much strength the Lord gives us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. We hope these five quotes for encouragement spark life in you.
BY JESSICA BILLS
There were only a few moments when I understood the power the Enemy has over the territory of this Asian country.
BY JESSICA PITZEK
You are hurting yourself more than you know. You might say, I can’t love or accept love unless I know WHO is giving it.
But listen here, that is doing you no good.
For some time, I stayed clear of God. I rejected the notion when people told me that He loves me.
It’s the 21st century’s version of “Fake it till you make it.” Not only should you always take jobs you’re qualified to do (we don’t get to be choosy at this stage of our careers), but also agree to opportunities that are just outside your comfort zone. Then, Google your way through it at home. Of course, I can’t Google my way through your kidney transplant (but thank you for asking me to do it — so thoughtful), but I can certainly spend all evening on industry blogs and YouTube to learn how to assist you while shooting a wedding, for example, even though it’s not quite like my usual assignments within live music.
Dear Kindreds,
We hope your art has been inspired and your spiritual growth is perpetually blooming.
We pray your relationships give your opportunities to be stretched and encourage others.
And we ask you to enjoy the quiet beauty of God's creation whether in a bird chirping, a flower reaching for light or the peace of tonight's sunset.
Those days are awesome, aren’t they? Wake up at 6, put the hot water on the stove. Read, pray. Remind yourself who you belong to and what He has given you for the day. Get your butt to the gym. Work hard. Go to work, and handle each task with care. Lunch. Wow, that was really encouraging. More work. Home. Class. Pay attention. Put your freaking phone away. Hurry home so you can see the roomies before everyone goes to bed and you have to go to bed and do it all over again.
BY SAM PALENCIA
Words can be undervalued. Often a greater attention is put towards action. However, for those whose love language is words of affirmation, words hold such importance and are essential.
For me, that means that words stick and I value them above most other things.
BY SARA THOMAS
Bright white lights kick on, the stage curtains sweep off to the sides and the show begins. You’re center stage and the hammering in your chest feels all consuming; you feel it in the shaking of your hands, the pounding in your head, and the pitter-patter of your being. But you breathe out that first line, or take that first pirouette and suddenly it comes back to you. The show goes on, the audience laughs, cries, and sighs and. End scene.
BY SIENNA NAGGAR
My primary love language is Acts of Service. To me, this sounds like the most narcissistic of all the love languages. “Hey, I feel super loved because you just served me. Thanks.”
If this is your love language, it can be a tough pill to swallow. Often times it can be misunderstood as a demanding love language or an ungrateful one. I think I have played to both of those sides. Oops.
BY JESSY BAUGH
Whenever people ask me about myself and what I like to do one of my first answers is that I love the beach. Honestly, I feel like I was made to live by the beach, which is perfect since I grew up in a home that is filled with shell and driftwood art handmade by my parents and myself.
BY JESSICA BILLS
The people I feel closest to are the people I spend the most time with.
I mean, that makes complete sense. No poetry here. That’s just logic. But is there more to loving someone who feels the most loved from quality time?
See, the need for quality time (or any of the other love languages) is something ALL people need at different times.
BY EMILY POULIN & JESSICA BILLS
Be honest with clients and yourself about timelines. Don't over promise or put yourself in a difficult spot. No one wins in that situation.
Say no! There are other designers besides you in the world -- if you're not a good fit or don't have time/ interest it is perfectly okay to bow out. This is really hard at first but gets easier, giving more time for projects you really want.
BY KATEY LEE
Gifts is probably the most misunderstood love language out of the five. It is pretty easy to understand how spending quality time with someone, saying kind words, serving someone, or hugging someone would show them love. But gifts? So what, they just want people to buy them presents all the time? That just sounds selfish and materialistic. At least on the surface it does because people just see the gift without understanding the significance behind it.
BY SAMI BROWN
Glorious. Majestic. Kind.
King of Kings
Prince of Peace
Your love is enchanting
BY TAYLOR MAY
Love Language. According to Gary D. Chapman there are five of those. They are different aspects and tones of love that certain people feel, speak and understand better than others. Among those are giving out kind words of affirmation and appreciation, giving and receiving intentional gifts, spending quality time together, doing service like things for one another, and…. physical touch. That last one sounds so gross… but it’s the language I happen to speak best.
BY SAMI BROWN
The inspiration for my poetry has always been out of the deepest emotions in my heart. Sometimes it’s the joy, love and incredible hope that God fills my life with. Other times it is out of the deep pain, hurt, and anger that I often try to avoid.
BY KATEY LEE & JESSICA BILLS
People are needy. Every person has different expectations of what their relationships require. The thing about relationships is that there is a constant give and take, a push and pull, an ebb and flow.
BY SILVIA BOLANOS
I am not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions – why do we fixate so much on drastic change just once a year? How consistent are really we with keeping up with those New Year’s resolutions?
BY MARISS EANES
Do you ever find yourself desperately chasing after something that just is not fit for you? Maybe it’s a person rather than a thing, many if not all of us have been down that road before.
BY SAM PALENCIA
We were made for relationship. We are constantly striving to be known, but a lot of the time we just fail at it.
BY JESSICA BILLS & KATEY LEE
Check out 15 things our editors have learned from their year of transitioning from college students, to post grads, to adults.
Hi, I am one too. I hope you liked that I was transparent with you, along with everything else in my life. Man, I’m doing it again. Why do we have such a fear of man? Why do their views and opinions of our lives often dictate how we relate with others? Why must we incessantly say sorry, just in case we may have—on the slight chance—said something that may have hurt someone? Dear seeker of head-nods, social-media likes, and affirmation, I too am drained, I too pray and long for the day when my life would display the reality of Proverbs 29: 25,
“The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected”.
BY JON NYQUIST AND SAM ELIAS
The phrase "its not what you know, but who you know" plays a big role in whether you get jobs or not, so make sure to network and treat people well.